[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Garamendi also calls for UC and CSU meetings to be scheduled on different days to allow for full participation by ex-officio members

By Frank D. Russo

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi sent a strongly worded letter yesterday to California State University (CSU) Chancellor Charles Reed and Board of Trustees Chair Roberta Achtenberg opposing any executive pay raises.

He communicated by letter because he could not simultaneously attend tomorrow's CSU Trustee's meeting and that of the University of California Board of Regents, part of an ongoing scheduling conflict where these two bodies frequently meet on the same day in opposite ends of the state. Garamendi is an ex-officio member of both boards (by reason of his election as Lieutenant Governor) as is the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Speaker of the Assembly, and the Governor. He has taken an active role in both the CSU and UC meetings and wants to attend both to participate in person and vote on important issues impacting higher education in California.

In his letter, he outlines seven reasons why CSU should not to proceed with a pay increase and urges his fellow board members to vote against any such proposals. He states:

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Lt. Governor and CSU Trustee John Garamendi accepting letters. Garamendi has opposed fee hikes as an unfair tax on students and a dangerously shortsighted move that places the quality of California’s workforce in jeopardy. The Legislature and Governor were then visited by students to include funds in the state budget that would make the fee increase unnecessary.

By Brian Ferguson

Students, faculty and state political leaders gathered on the West Steps of the Capitol Wednesday morning to speak out against a proposed 10 percent fee hike for California State University students currently being considered by the legislature.

Student representatives from all 23 CSU campuses were on hand to deliver more than 7,000 handwritten letters from students to legislators asking for the fees not to be raised. Lt. Gov John Garamendi, who is also a CSU Board of Trustees member, was on hand to accept the letters.

“It is critical that we invest in our students and ensure that they can afford a college education,” said Garamendi. “California’s continued leadership and success depend upon our ability to adequately prepare our students to address the future needs of our state.”